Howdy y'all

This was our newsletter, sent out Feb.1- we understand it is old news now, but to get the news first, subscribe to our newsletter on our home page OR become a Patreon supporter :)

​This month has been a busy one. It actually seems like it has been two months. With that being said, it has also been an eye opener, as far as our customers. You guys have been amazing. Seriously. All of the feedback we have received because of our products and services has been so heart filling. A special thank you for all of the continued support, and to all of our new customers! This is going to be a great year! We can feel it! We broke down and finally got a website. For the last two years, it was hard to see a reason to actually create a website. Facebook was working out well for us and it was hard to justify the price of making and maintaining a website. Well we are happy to say that there were so many product orders coming in, it was hard to keep them all straight. Orders were coming through email, Facebook, messenger, and even text message! This is great, but we didn’t want to miss anyone. That was the motivation for setting up the website. A place to direct everyone to place their order. While creating the website, we realized that it is so much more than just a place to order. We could truly publish everything we do. Sometimes all of our content gets shuffled around and lost on Facebook since it is such a busy place. Everything is so neatly displayed on the website. The domain name is www.HoltonHomestead.com and there you can find everything about us. The locations we sell at, photos we have taken, all of our current products for sale, how you can help us, our blog, and other programs we are doing, such as our Adopt-A-Hive program. What’s our Adopt-A-Hive program you ask? Well in a nutshell it is a way for you to help “save the bees” without owning your own hive. For a yearly fee to help us fund our apiary expansion, you get to name the queen and decorate the hive box, as well as receive a monthly supply of honey and quality products made from bee products (honey and wax). This is great for families with children because we provide you with lots of information on the bees, as well as updates on your exact hive! You will also be invited to come visit your hive, and also help with extracting honey in the fall- how cool! Enrollment is open through March. You can read more here: http://www.holtonhomestead.com/adopt-a-hive-program.html Even though it’s only January, there has still been a lot happening here. Lots of new products, maybe you've seen them. Here are some of the highlights: The natural deodorant has been a hit. Not going to lie, the thought of natural deodorant was a little terrifying. No one ever wants to smell. Well, it has been tried, by more than just us, and it is great. No more harmful chemicals or aluminum!!! Doggie Paw wax has been useful for our pet lovers. It helps protect their paw pads from the elements and heal any cracked or dry paws. It is applied as a thin layer, like lip balm for you lips. Beeswrap, an alternative to plastic wrap. It makes us happy to be able to provide products that don’t contribute to daily waste. Made from cotton fabric and coated in beeswax. It has been a lot of fun playing with all of the fabric colors and patterns. They latest pattern is a mustache pattern. The Beeswrap can be used as a lid to a container, to wrap a sandwich, or even snacks like crackers. It is reusable, washable, and durable. The only thing is, it isn’t so great at is hot foods. We have also restored a large collection of both modern and vintage cast iron cookware. These pieces are for sale. We are large advocates of cast iron cooking. It is the original nonstick cookware you know. If cooking in cast iron is something you are interested in, but hesitant or overwhelmed, you can look forward to our upcoming The Basics of Cast Iron Cookware class. And the most popular new product is our Elderberry Syrup. What's elderberry syrup good for? Elderberry is used for “the flu” (influenza) and boosts the Immune System and helps your body fight disease. It is also used for sinus pain, back and leg pain (sciatica), nerve pain (neuralgia), and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Elderberries are a rich source of vitamins A and C, which are crucial in helping the body maintain optimal health. Plus, the bioflavonoids in elderberry syrup boost the body's immune system by increasing antioxidant levels and viruses that damage cell walls. Our recipe contains organic elderberries, cloves, ginger, cinnamon, and our honey. Adults & children take one teaspoon daily. If feeling ill, take a teaspoon every 3 hours as needed. (This shouldn't be used for infants under a year old because of the honey). It is good for up to 3 months in the refrigerator. Besides all of the health benefits, it is also delicious! You can see all of our products listed above, our honey, and more on our website. http://www.holtonhomestead.com/shop-at-the-homestead.htmlShipping is available or local pick up is always an option. MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Thursday, February 8th Essential Oils 101 class. Held at Café Diem in Ankeny (across from DMACC on Ankeny Blvd.) If you have ever been curious about using essential oils please join us at Cafe Diem in Ankeny for some coffee and doTERRA education. We will talk through the basics of using essential oils, show you how to quickly make non-toxic all purpose cleaner, give you the opportunity to smell the oils we have on hand and have some prizes! We will also be giving away a diffuser! Saturday, February 10th you can find us at the Sweetheart Market. Just in time for Valentine’s day. Located at Brightside Aleworks (480 Center place) Altoona. The market will be from 10am-2pm. There will be other local vendors, gourmet foods and drinks. Other vendors: Nymph In The Woods Jewelry, Capital City Coffee, Petite Fierce Creative, Love Food Chocolates, Wendie's Words, and Ella Jenson Massage. Stop by and grab a gift for your loved ones, yourself, or just say hi! Thanks for reading & subscribing to our newsletter! Interactions welcomed on our Facebook page or email us any time!